Traffic in Lancaster

In 2024, Lancaster, PA, sees a predominant use of cars for commuting, with 71.43% of the population relying on this mode of transport.

Bicycles and buses are also popular, each accounting for 14.29% of the commuting methods, reflecting a diverse transportation landscape.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves 21.43 minutes of driving and a total time of 27.86 minutes, covering a distance of 27.31 km.

  • Bus - Bus commuters spend 15 minutes waiting and 10 minutes on the bus, with a total commute time of 30 minutes over 4.83 km.
  • Car - Car users experience a 30-minute drive, covering 36.31 km, with no waiting time.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
71%
Bus
14%
Bicycle
14%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 7 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
17.0 miles
Walking
0.7 mins
Waiting
2.1 mins
Driving Car
21.4 mins
Bus / Trolley
1.4 mins
Bicycle
2.1 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Total:
27.9 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
3.0 miles
Walking
5.0 mins
Waiting
15.0 mins
Bus / Trolley
10.0 mins
Total:
30.0 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
22.6 miles
Driving Car
30.0 mins
Total:
30.0 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the summer months as tourists visit Lancaster's attractions.

Winter months see a slight decrease in bicycle usage due to colder weather.

Commuter Pain Points

Long waiting times for buses can be frustrating for public transport users.

Traffic congestion during peak hours leads to extended commute times for car users.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 7 AM and late evenings after 7 PM are the best times to avoid traffic congestion.

Midday travel is generally smoother for those using bicycles.

Event Impacts

Public events such as the Lancaster County Fair can significantly increase traffic congestion.

Road closures during parades and festivals lead to detours and longer travel times.

Sustainability Efforts

Lancaster is investing in bike lanes and pedestrian pathways to promote eco-friendly commuting.

The city is exploring electric bus options to reduce emissions from public transport.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have reduced the need for personal car ownership, contributing to a slight decrease in traffic congestion.

These services offer flexible commuting options, especially during off-peak hours.

Worldwide
United States

Traffic Rankings

The Traffic Index for the United States combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in United States, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.
Worst to BestUpdated: Oct, 2025
Full Traffic Rankings